Lost sleep costs the average American worker 11.3 days, or $2,280, in lost productivity each year, and the total cost to the nation is $63.2 billion annually, a new study appearing in the journal Sleep says.

Researchers analyzed information about sleep habits and work performance from 7,428 workers who took part in the American Insomnia Study survey conducted by the Harvard Medical School.

Overall, about 23.2 percent of the participants had insomnia, characterized by a hard time falling or staying asleep. Insomnia rates were lower for workers age 65 and older (14.3 percent) and lower for working men (19.7 percent) than for working women (27.1 percent). Findings also showed that insomnia rates were 19.9 percent for those with less than a high school education and 21.5 percent for college graduates.

"Most people with insomnia still go to work when they’re tired,” says Robin Trupp, RN, PhD. “However, working while tired can lead to lost productivity, poor decision-making and other factors that hurt people and the organizations where they work.”

The cost of insomnia treatment ranges from about $200 a year for generic sleeping pills to as much as $1,200 for behavioral therapy, according to study co-author James K. Walsh, executive director and senior scientist at the Sleep Medicine and Research Center, St. Luke's Hospital, Chesterfield, Mo.

As most Floridians are aware, it can be difficult sleeping when the hot, humid weather settles into the area. But do you know the reasons why?

People fall asleep as their body temperatures drop, and awaken as body temperatures rise. But during the REM (rapid eye movement) stage of sleep, when the body temporarily loses the ability to sweat and shiver, excessive heat will cause people to wake up, sometimes unknowingly.

Most people tend to sleep best when the surrounding temperature is 65 to 75 degrees (18 to 24 degrees Celsius), although there is evidence that some people who live in hot climates become acclimated to sleeping in warmer temperatures.

Tips for Better Sleep in Hot Weather

If you're having trouble getting a good night's sleep, here are some helpful sleeping tips to beat the heat:

• Stop eating and exercising at least two hours before going to bed
• Avoid caffeine products after 2 pm
• Avoid alcohol at least two hours before going to bed. Alcohol is a sedative, but during the night, causes fitful, low-quality sleep
• Take a short nap in the afternoon if your situation allows it

Many people take a vacation during the summer months. Vacations can be very helpful for people with sleep-related issues if they are able to reduce their stress levels by leaving their problems at home. However, changes in climate, time zones, nighttime noises, new sleeping areas and other issues can hurt the chances for improvements without proper planning before leaving for vacation.

Using your head and not losing your cool will help you get through the hot summer nights. If you find yourself or a family member that continues having trouble falling or staying asleep, contact the medical experts in sleep at the Starlight Medical Group for a free telephone consultation.